How does intersectoral action relate to the Alma-Ata primary health care approach?

• A. Intersectoral action is irrelevant to primary health care.
• B. Health outcomes are affected by sectors beyond health; intersectoral actions coordinate with education, housing, agriculture etc.
• C. It only involves private sector partners.
• D. It focuses solely on hospital-based care.

Answer: (B)

Intersectoral action is central to Alma-Ata’s primary health care vision because health is produced by conditions outside the health sector, and improving health requires coordinating efforts across multiple sectors such as education, housing, agriculture, water and sanitation, and transportation. By aligning actions in these areas, determinants that lie beyond medical care—like health literacy, living conditions, nutrition, and access to services—are addressed, leading to better outcomes. This is why the statement that health outcomes are affected by sectors beyond health and that intersectoral actions coordinate with education, housing, and agriculture best captures the Alma-Ata approach.

Intersectoral action isn’t about ignoring health care; it’s about recognizing that health systems alone can’t fix health problems if the social and environmental conditions driving those problems aren’t also addressed. It isn’t limited to the private sector and isn’t restricted to hospital-based care; primary health care in this view is community-oriented and collaborative across sectors.